Critical Essays (4-3 page essays– each worth 10%. Total 40%):

            The majority of your grade for this course will be earned through writing four critical essays. Each of these essays should be 3 type-written pages and follow a formal essay style. Outlines and notes are unacceptable as completed essays. See comment on writing for more specific information. Several weeks before the paper is due, I will provide a written assignment. These assignments are designed to challenge you to think critically about readings and the world around you. Each assignment will draw on readings as well as some external information. We will talk more about essays when the specific topics are distributed.

            The deadlines for the critical essays reflect the LAST day an essay may be handed in. Students who wish to get ahead on their work should hand them in sooner. I will not accept any late essays. Essays which receive a C or lower may be re-written. Deadlines for re-writes will be announced in class.

Group Research Project (25%):

            The group project will be an opportunity for you to conduct research about a topic of particular interest. You will be assigned to a group based on topic of interest. Each group will chose a topic, research articles and books which inform the topic, write a 2-3 page description of findings and present the research to the class. These summaries will be presented to the class during the last week of class. Creativity is highly encouraged. Your grade for this part of the class will be calculated though a combination of instructor’s, group member’s and personal assessment.

Conferences & Self-Assessment (5%):

            Each student will meet with me a minimum of three times during the semester. While I’ll provide specific appointment times, it is your responsibility to keep the appointment. At the midterm and final conferences, you are required to calculate (based on the percentages below) your grade in the course. You are also required to calculate what grade you think you deserve. The grades you give to yourself will be calculated as part of your final grade.

Grades:

            Critical Essays (10 % each)                                        40%

            Group Research Project                                              25%

            Attendance, Participation and Class Projects             15%

            Journal                                                                        15%

            Conferences & Self-Assessment                                5%

Special Needs:

            If you have a physical, psychological, medical or learning disability that may impact your course work, please contact Disability Support Services, ECC (Educational Communications Center) Building, room128, (631) 632-6748. They will determine with you what accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All information and documentation is confidential. Students requiring emergency evacuation are encouraged to discuss their needs with their professors and Disability Support Services. For procedures and information, go to the following web site: http://www.ehs.sunysb.edu/fire/disabilities/asp.

Comment on writing:

            One of the goals of this class is to facilitate students’ development of writing and communication skills. All papers must be typewritten, double-spaced, proof-read and spell-checked. Cited material must include full citations, including page references and date of publication. A good reference for citation styles as well as grammatical information is the Manual of Style (Manual of Style. 1993. 14^th edition. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press). I do not have a citation preference for your work, but you must be consistent.

There are many resources for developing your writing skills. There are writing manuals such as Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style (2000. 4^th edition. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon) and the aforementioned Chicago Manual of Style. A selection of such manuals should be available at the library. Additionally, please take advantage of the on-campus writing center. Information about their location and hours as well as additional resources may be found at their web page: http://naples.cc.stonybrook.edu/CAS/writingcenter1.nsf/. Finally, I am willing to look at rough drafts of essays provided I receive them at least three classes in advance of the assignment due date and students schedule a meeting to receive feedback in person.

Academic Honesty:

            All work you submit must be your own. By behaving in an dishonest fashion you do yourself, the true author, the class and instructor a disservice. I encourage you to incorporate outside sources in your work as you see fit but will not tolerate plagiarism or cheating. You must use proper citations for any direct ideas, quotes or data you include in your work. If you have some doubt as to what is acceptable please contact me or review the University guidelines found on the web at: http://naples.cc.sunysb.edu/CAS/ajc.nsf/pages/info.

Comment on Courtesy:

            This will be a discussion oriented class. In order for that to work effectively, all students must honor the requirements of basic courtesy. I expect you to:

–         Arrive at class on time and stay the entire class period.

‒          If you need to leave early or arrive late, inform me in advance if possible and leave during a break in discussion keeping noise to a minimum.

–         Turn off all cellphones before the beginning of class.

–         Wait until there is a pause in the conversation before trying to add your thoughts. You should raise your hand and wait for me to call on you. You will be given time to share your idea but do not interrupt me or one of your classmates.

–         Respect that everyone has ideas and opinions and not try to dominate the conversation.

–          When you are in class, you need to only do class work. Do not play with palm pilots, cell phones or video games. Do not read material for other classes.

Readings and Assignment Due Dates:

The following course outline will provide you with many of the important dates you need. Please be advised that this is a tentative reading and assignment schedule. Changes will be made to adjust to the speed and interests of our class.

Tues 8/30       Course Introduction - Syllabus As Contract

Assignment:   Bring copy of schedule to submit on Thurs.

Enter all important dates in planner (exams, paper due dates, extra credit lectures...)

Thurs 9/1       Reader:          “Understanding Your Prof’s Expectations”

                                                “The Syllabus as Contract”

                        Recitation: Individual Conferences in SBS N-427

Tues 9/6         Learning About Your Learning

Assignment:   Complete Learning Styles Assessment (http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html)

                        Print finding and bring to class

                        Reader:           Learning Styles readings

                                                “Religious Community and American Individualism”

Thurs 9/8       What is Religion?

                        Reader:           “Religion in Africa”

                        Essay #1 Assigned

Tues 9/13       What is Science?

                        Reader:           “The Nature & Philosophy of Science”

Thurs 9/15     Reader:           Raman “Faith and Doubt”

Tues 9/20       The Relationship between Science and Religion

                        Reader:           Writings on Religion & Science

                        Kurtz:             “An Overview of the Issues” (Chap 1)

                        Group Project Topics

                        Essay #1 Due

Thurs 9/22     Reader:           “Science Finds God”

Tues 9/27       Library Visit 

                        Reader:           “Messages from Heaven”       

Thurs 9/29     Kurtz:             “Are Science and Religion Conflicting or Complementary?” (Chap2)

                                                “Designer Universe” (Chap. 3)

                        Essay #2 Assigned

Tues 10/4 Rosh Hashanah - No Class

Thurs 10/6     Angels and Demons    Chap. 1-25

Tues 10/11     Angels and Demons Chap. 26-50

Thurs 10/13 Yom Kippur - No Class

Tues 10/18     Angels and Demons Chap 51-85